Anyone using Contax SLR's?

Robert Budding · Apr 28, 2006

snegron said:
Currently I shoot with Nikon 35mm, also with Mamiya 645, (and Nikon DSLR's as well). I love my 645's, but I have had very little luck scanning them with my Epson 4870 Flatbed Scanner (the odd shape of 645 frames is not recognized by the software of my scanner). So, I have opted to stick with 35mm. I like my Nikons but I want that "extra edge" in terms of sharpness. Yes, my nikons are sharp (especially my 180mm 2.8, 80-200mm 2.8, 105mm 2.5, 85mm 1.8, etc) but I guess I am under the impression that Zeiss optics are sharper. After reading the replies on this thread (and I really thank everyone for their input), I wonder if I will be actually getting sharper results with a Zeiss or Leica vs. Nikon? I did look into Hassleblad and it could be an option, especially because my scanner recognizes square format frames. However, I have even less of a clue about the Hassleblad system and would not know where to start!

I shoot 645, too - Mamiya 645 and Bronica RF 645. It's a nice format, and you should be able to scan it on your Epson. Have you tried Silverfast or Vuescan? The software will cost less than another system.

I also understand how desirable Zeiss lenses are as I shot an old Contax IIIA for about 2 years. I also owned a Contax N1 several years back. But I sold it when Kyocera dropped the ball on the Contax ND. Besides, there were too few lens choices in the N-mount.

So maybe a new Zeiss ZF lens is just the right solution.

Tom Hoskinson · Apr 28, 2006

I've been shooting Contax SLR's for many years (RTS II, RTS III, RX and 167MT). Love em.

I'm looking very seriously at the Z1 and at the new Zeiss SLR glass!

I bought my first Contax 35mm SLR based in part on the performance of the Zeiss glass on my Hassleblad.

Anyone using Contax SLR's?

Robert Budding

Tom Hoskinson

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